Travel Expenses: Siem Reap, Cambodia

Traveling solo is really more expensive than traveling with a group. Unless you find other travelers to share the cost, you’ll be paying big money for the guide and transportation. When I was doing a rough draft of my travel budget, I knew Cambodia would be the most expensive destination, that’s why I made it my first country to visit.

I managed to keep my expenses lower than my estimate, but it’s still quite high, in my opinion. But in the end it’s a pretty good investment, as the Angkor Wat is really worth the visit.

All the costs listed in here are those that I inccured within Cambodian borders, including the plane fare.

Cambodia 2009

June 2 – 5, 2009

Exchange Rate:

US$1 = Php 48

In US$

In PhP

Air transfer

Singapore – Siem Reap

$ 61.97

PHP 2,974.56

Jetstar Airways

Accommodation

Madalay Inn

$ 21.00

PHP 1,008.00

Single fan room – US$7/night

Transportation

Tuktuk – US$13 per day

$ 19.00

PHP 912.00

1

Taxi to border

$ 30.00

PHP 1,440.00

Food

Meals and snacks

$ 30.45

PHP 1,461.60

2

Miscellaneous

Angkor admission fee

$ 20.00

PHP 960.00

3

Angkor tour guide

$ 25.00

PHP 1,200.00

4

Souvenirs

$ 8.75

PHP 420.00

5

Tip

$ 6.00

PHP 288.00

Total

$ 222.17

PHP 10,664.16

1 The rate is $13 per day, but since I only used the tuktuk for half a day during my first day, I only got charged $6 for that.

2 Food in Siem Reap is quite expensive. A plate of fried rice with meat and veggies usually cost US$ 3. Drinks start at US$ 1.

3 If you just want to see the temples in the Angkor complex, one day is enough. If you’d like to see the other temples, better get the 3-day pass for $40. If you’re hardcore, get the 1-week pass for $60, but you might get templed-out.

4 Getting a tour guide is optional, but it’s worth the money.

5 Souvenirs I bought include different spices, postcards, keychain and magnets.

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Nina doesn't aim to travel to every country in the world -- she just wants to travel to the places that means the most to her. She started traveling in 2006, and hopes to travel for as long as she can. Her travel blog, Just Wandering won the Best Travel Blog in the 2010 Philippine Blog Awards and in the 2011 Nuffnang Asia Pacific Blog Awards.

Nina doesn't aim to travel to every country in the world -- she just wants to travel to the places that means the most to her. She started traveling in 2006, and hopes to travel for as long as she can. Her travel blog, Just Wandering won the Best Travel Blog in the 2010 Philippine Blog Awards and in the 2011 Nuffnang Asia Pacific Blog Awards.